Azarenka loses cool at Madrid Open

MADRID — Victoria Azarenka lost her temper, broke her racket and argued with the chair umpire in an exit Wednesday from the Madrid Open, where she's been runner-up the last two years.

The Associated Press

MADRID — Victoria Azarenka lost her temper, broke her racket and argued with the chair umpire in an exit Wednesday from the Madrid Open, where she's been runner-up the last two years.

Losing to Ekaterina Makarova of Russia 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the second round ended Azarenka's 18-match winning streak to start the season.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal spoiled Benoit Paire's 24th birthday by sweeping past the Frenchman 6-3, 6-4. The fifth-ranked Nadal's hopes of returning to the top four in time for the French Open were boosted by Novak Djokovic's loss on Tuesday.

Azarenka returned after a two-month layoff because of an ankle injury. She double-faulted five times and got in just over half of her first serves. The 24th-ranked Makarova had 60 percent first-serve accuracy.

The Belarusian berated Alves after picking up a second code violation for smashing her racket in the third set.

"After all you've done, how are you still in the game?" Azarenka shouted at the official while on court.

Makarova rallied from 3-1 down in the third set, winning five straight games.

Nadal landed nearly 80 percent of his first serves and athletically recovered some near winners in a match that Paire stretched to nearly 90 minutes.

"It was a tough game as he is an awkward opponent because he doesn't allow you to build up a rhythm," Nadal said. "I had a difficult time with the break point in the second set, I don't know how I saved it ... by miracle, I think."

Nadal commented on Djokovic's early ouster by Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria.

"Novak has had a fantastic year but played against a very young player who has been doing very well, and against whom I, too, was about to lose in Monte Carlo," Nadal said. "With this level of tennis, you can depart at any time in a tournament."

"With Tommy Haas it's going to be a very tough match," Ferrer said. "We played in Miami and went to three sets. Tomorrow I will have to return very well because he is a player that serves pretty good."